trying to keep her feet still and toes together so I can put on each sock

Crap… she has 2 feet!

Putting her jacket on her (this is worse than putting socks on her)

Picking her up and NOT closing the front door until I make sure I have the keys.

Nothing is worse than having a baby and being locked out. Trying to break into your house with your baby is not easy, thank goodness that has not happened yet (DANG IT! I bet I just jinxed myself.)

I miss my iPod (see #2d). It was nice buying things I wanted, now I have to wait and get things we need then maybe I can get something.

Being able to use the bathroom WHENEVER I want/need to.

Right now I have double trouble. I live with 2 girls. MJ will let me use the bathroom for about 3-4 minutes before she is crying over something. My wife, she has the use the bathroom EVERYTIME I need to. I come home from work at 11:30pm. I come in, change kiss her lightly on the cheek, go to use the bathroom and hear a quiet “Are you using the bathroom”

I cringe and my first reaction is to try and use Jedi mind control and say “There is no bathroom here. Go back to sleep” But what I wind up saying is go ahead and use it.

Road trips!

I use to go on a road trip at any time just for the heck of it. I would just jump in my truck and head upstate for a hike on a weekend with one of my many hiking clubs.

Nowadays, my hikes include a stroller and park a few blocks away. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE going for walks with my daughter and my wife, but my hiking pace is a lot faster than theirs as well as my conviction to reach the top of the mountain. I haven’t been on a hike in over a year… and I miss them.

Having control of the TV!

I am a HUGE fan of HGTV and any Do-it-yourself show. I also watch sci-fi, comedy, action and the like, but now my TV show selections from 8am-2:30pm consist of whatever is on Nick Jr. I have to admit, I do think the Fresh Beat Band is pretty talented! I can’t believe I just admitted that.

Being able to go to the Movies!

I used to go catch a movie with my wife about every other weekend when we were dating and right up until MJ was born. Well, in the last 10 months we have seen the inside of a Movie theater once and once the movie was over Erica was out the theater and sitting in the car before I was able to get out of my seat. I think somebody was having separation anxiety? Lately all my movies come from Red Box.

I miss going rollerblading.

Have you ever tried rollerblading, uphill, with a stroller, and all those baby things? It is not easy. And if a pacifier disappears? Oh my. Guess who is going back to retrace steps and hope he finds where she threw it. I will give you a hint… he is the ONLY male in the house!

Long Showers.

I used to like taking my occasional long shower. When I was living with my wife, I would take my shower first because I can take a shower in under 10 minutes (and that includes shaving and getting dressed). When MJ was tiny and still couldn’t even roll over, I was able to take an occasional one when she was sleeping in her crib. But now, she fights sleep and is always up and getting into something she shouldn’t. Our neighbors already know what MJ’s first and middle names are by heart!

Sleeping!

I have been working a night shift for MANY years now. My wife works a regular 9-5 so she would go to work and I was able to sleep until 10, 11 or even noon as I didn’t have to be to work until 6pm and now, for the last 3 years I don’t have to get there until 3pm. However, now MJ likes nice, round numbers like 5am or 7am. By the time my wife is heading out the door for work, MJ and I are in the living room watching Nick Jr.

That is my list. What would I do differently? Not a thing. I have an amazing wife, a crazy, funny, happy daughter and a life I enjoy immensely. Things do become hectic at times but I am very lucky and happy with giving up all these “privileges” in order to have my life the way it is now.